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The meaning of silver flakes has already been explained in the section on gold bars. Silver originates from ores and must be smelted to become refined silver (Shu Yin, refined silver), hence its name. Therefore, a separate entry for raw silver (Sheng Yin, raw silver) is established later. Its uses are largely similar to those of refined silver. In the world, there are alchemists who can produce silver from cinnabar (Zhu Sha, Cinabaris Rubrum), from lead and mercury, or from scorched copper. These do not possess the vital energy of natural creation; how can they be used in medicine? Since such cases exist, they must be clearly distinguished. Raw silver refers to silver that does not come from mines but occurs naturally, also known as "Old Man's Beard" (Lao Weng Xu), named by analogy. However, medical classics state that silver flakes are toxic, while raw silver is non-toxic; commentators omitted this detail. This is likely because raw silver has already emerged externally, lacking stagnant and pent-up qi, thus it is non-toxic. Mineral silver remains stored within stones, with its pent-up qi completely unventilated, hence it is described as toxic. It also dislikes tin.

Although there are various methods for using mercury (Shui Yin, Hydrargyrum) in medicine, extreme caution is required due to its toxicity. Women taking it frequently may suffer sterility. Currently, people often use large amounts to treat pediatric convulsive fever and salivary flooding. There is not a single word in the classics regarding this usage, which should be carefully examined. Mercury coagulates when meeting lead, solidifies when meeting sulfur (Huang Liu Huang, Sulfur), and disperses when ground with jujube flesh. Another method produces greasy powder (Ni Fen, Calomel); powdered frost mixed with saliva kills lice. Copper becomes bright when exposed to it; pouring it into a corpse causes the corpse to rot later. Placing gold, silver, copper, or iron above it causes them to float; encountering placenta (Zi He Che, Placenta Hominis) causes them to sink. Han Yu of the Tang Dynasty said: Li Qian, a Doctor of the Imperial Academy, met the alchemist Liu Ben from Xin'an, who could smelt mercury into an elixir of immortality. He filled a tripod with lead, hollowed the center, filled it with mercury, sealed the edges, and smelted it into cinnabar. After ingestion, the patient suffered bloody stools. Four years later, his illness worsened, and he died. I do not know when the practice of ingesting elixirs began. Countless people have died, yet worldly admiration for it grows stronger. This is delusion! Records in documents and hearsay do not mention these dangers. I now cite only what I have seen with my own eyes and experienced through personal association: six or seven high officials who perished due to medicinal drugs, serving as a warning to the world. Guo Deng, Minister of Works, said himself: After taking mercury, he fell ill, feeling as if a red-hot iron rod pierced him from head to toe, breaking into fire and shooting out through his orifices and joints. He screamed in madness and pain, begging for death. When his bedding touched mercury, the attack would cease temporarily, followed by hemoptysis; he died after more than ten years. Li Xuzhong, Censor-in-Chief, died of a carbuncle on his back. Li Xun, Minister of Justice, told me: "I was misled by medicine," and subsequently died. Li Jian, Vice Minister of Justice, died suddenly without illness. Meng Jian, Minister of Works, invited me to Wanzhou and, dismissing others, said: "I have obtained a secret medicine and cannot keep immortality to myself. I give you this vessel; make pills with jujube flesh and take them." A year later, he fell ill. Someone later asked him about it. He replied: "The previous medicine was mistaken; I am currently using purgatives. Once purged, I will recover." He died two years later from the illness. Lu Tan, Military Commissioner of Dongchuan and Censor-in-Chief, suffered hematuria and unbearable muscle pain, begging for death. Li Daogu, General of the Jinwu Guards, was implicated by Liu Ben's crimes; having eaten Liu Ben's medicine, he died at fifty in the sea. These serve as warnings. Seeking immortality leads to hastened death; can this be called wisdom? Grain and meat, salt, vinegar, fruits, and vegetables are daily foods. People urge each other to eat heartily. Yet the deluded claim grain shortens life and advocate reduction, only regretting it at death. Alas, how sorrowful! Now, some smelt mercury into cinnabar. If physicians do not understand this and grind it for coating or mixing into medicines, is this not a grave error? Must one not be cautious!